Trinity Lutheran #13

Last week, I attended the early morning worship service at Trinity Lutheran church located at 2315 North Parham Road. When I first arrived, I was greeted by 2 elder ladies who introduced themselves to me while directing me to the refreshment area of the church where they encouraged me to grab a cup of coffee and snack. I knew from my limited knowledge that Lutheran church's are usually fairly traditional so I was surprised that they were allowing drinks and food into the service area but I certainly wouldn't argue. I made my cup of coffee just as I liked it, cream no sugar, but before I could even take a sip I was tapped on the shoulder, "no coffee in the worship area" a gentleman beside me said. I laughed to myself and apologized for wasting it but quickly threw it out and joined the congregation. When the double doors opened, Pastor Michael Pottschmidt had just begun his sermon entitled "Praying to remain faithful to God." I quickly noticed that of the 40 people intently listening in the room, 20 of them who occupied the entire last two rows were mentally challenged.

I pulled up a chair directly in front of them and we all began to worship. The gentleman behind me who later introduced himself as James played with my ponytail as the Pastor gave his sermon. I don't know if this is one of those things that you just don't say but, the best part of the service were the mentally challenged people who attended. I can't pretend like I didn't notice they were there or it didn't influence my experience at Trinity Lutheran. It did. I found myself thinking about their lives and about my perception of the disabled. While listening to the choir (which I'll get to in a minute--these guys were awesome!) I thought about whether or not I had spent my life pitying these very same people. Did I think they were really given the shaft in life? Perhaps I did. I thought "awe, poor guy. I'm so blessed to NOT be like that" It's funny but while worshipping with them, I found myself well...wanting to sit in their row. Not that I wished upon me mental illness, of course not. But I've spent years of my own life, and met so many other men and women who appear to have it all; a healthy mind, a healthy body, lucrative careers, but lacking souls. Lorraine who was sitting directly to my left lacked nothing. She sang at the top of her lungs to Jesus, proclaiming her love for Him with her arms opened wide toward heaven.

I decided from now on, I will have no pity for the disabled. Instead, I will save my pity for those of us who are intellectual giants but lack the wisdom that these Lutheran's had. I may continue to thank God for my health when I'm reminded of how fortunate I am, but I will no longer think "awe, poor guy." Because on Sunday, I was reminded that there is nothing poor about them. These Lutherans were Rich with wisdom.

Now I have to take a minute to write about the choir. I just have to say, the WEAG's better watch their backs...there's another choir in town. With only 4 women and 2 men, these people were AMAZING. They sung their hearts out. One young woman, I swear could have given Mariah Carey a run for her money! It wasn't too traditional (although that's my preference) but it wasn't too modern either. The songs were beautiful and moving. I think the WEAG's need to think about doing some Lutheran recruitment if they want to continue being the best of the best!

If I could describe the entire experience with one word, I'd probably use the word "nice." It was a nice sermon, and a nice church and the experience was...well...nice. I probably wouldn't make Trinity Lutheran my home but I would certainly recommend them to anyone wanting a nice group of people to worship with. If you were brought up Catholic but desire a church that's a bit more laid back while still being traditional. You could be a Lutheran.

To learn more about Trinity Lutheran, visit their website at: http://trinityrichmond.net/

Hutaree Militia

As the story broke regarding the 9 Militia members who call themselves Hutaree (which they say translates to "Christian Warrior") I just felt I had to post.

I'll make it short and sweet so I don't give too much attention to Hutaree since it is such a sad and unfortunate situation, but I pray for these men and for their families. I pray that if the charges againt the Hutaree militia are found to be valid and they are indeed Christians plotting to kill their neighbors that the world doesn't see this as another strike against the religion of Christianity.

God, I pray you insert yourself into this situation and shed some light on this darkness.

The Lutheran Community

History:

One of the oldest branches of Protestantism is the Lutheran denomination which was created as a result of the Martin Luther's Reformation movement in Europe on October 31, 1957. Luther, a German monk and teacher has been called the "Father of Reformation" because he had taken a stand against the practices of the Catholic church as he felt many were in direct conflict with biblical scripture.

In opposition to the traditional church's practices, Luther posted the "95 Theses" (http://www.bookofconcord.org/95theses.php) on the Wittenberg Castle Church's door calling for a public debate regarding the practices of the Catholic church. This is where Luther boldly proclaimed, even in the face of great opposition, that all church teachings and doctrines should come from the holy scripture alone. The door served as a public announcement area for the community and Luther's posting were available for all to see. His statement of beliefs challenging the Catholic church, are now known as the Lutheran Confessions.

Allegedly, Luther's intent in doing so was to reform the Catholic church from within by exposing the corruption and abuses of power and not to break off and form his own denomination. Because of his failed attempt in doing so, he was excommunicated from the church, however Luther's message certainly wasn't silenced any many followed his teachings.

On June 25th, 1530, in an attempt to restore religious and political unity in the Holy Roman Empire and to rally support against the Turkish invasion, Charles V (Holy Roman Emperor) invited the Princes and "free territories" in Germany to explain their new found religious beliefs which were based on Luther's challenges of the church. This presentation of beliefs has become known as of the Augsburg Confession which is now the 4th document in the Book of Concord. June 25th marks the official "birthday" of the Lutheran Church. Because Luther kept preaching the Word of God even after the church threatened to put him to death for doing so, he was viewed as a criminal and not able to present himself on that day.

The Lutheran Reformation spread to different areas of the world and influenced the reform movement of John Calvin in France and Switzerland. It also had some impact on the English Reformation as well. John Calvin was so moved by the mission of the Lutheran Reformation, he became the chief founder of the Reformed bodies and because of Luther and Calvin many of today's Christian church's were born.

It wasn't until 1638 that the first Lutheran Church in America was erected in Wilmington, Delaware. While the immigration was initially slow moving and quite small, by 1800 it's membership grew by thousands each year. Most of the Lutheran bodies in America resulted originally out of national backgrounds. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, organized in 1847 was formed after the Saxon immigration of St. Louis drew confessional Lutherans to join together with one another in ministry. At that time, major emphasis was placed on education and many seminaries were established for training pastors. Today, the Missouri Synod is active throughout the world in mission work.

Lutheran Beliefs:

The Augsburg Confession consists of 28 articles that set forward what the Lutherans believed, ministered and confessed in positive (theses) and negative statements (antitheses). The theses are 21 Chief Articles of Faith describing the normative principles of Christian faith held by the Lutherans, the antitheses are seven statements describing what they viewed as abuses of the Christian faith present in the Roman church. The 28 articles can be found here: http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/wittenberg/wittenberg-boc.html#ac

Like most traditional Christians, Lutheran's believe in the 3 Ecumenical creeds:

The Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints, the Forgiveness of sins, the Resurrection of the Body, and the Life everlasting. Amen

Nicene Creed

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, Begotten, not made, Being of one substance with the Father, By whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary And was made man; And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried;
And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again with glory to judge both the quick (living) and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no end.And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord and Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Christian and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
And I look for the resurrection of the dead, And the life of the world to come. AMEN.

Athanasian Creed

Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary thathe hold the catholic (i.e., universal, Christian) faith.Which faith except everyone do keep whole and undefiled,without doubt he shall perish everlastingly.And the catholic faith is this, that we worship one God in Trinity and Trinity in Unity, Neither confounding the Persons nordividing the Substance. For there is one Person of the Father, another of the Son,and another of the Holy Ghost. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son,and of the Holy Ghost is all one: the glory equal, the majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Ghost. The Father uncreate, the Son uncreate, and the Holy Ghost uncreate,The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Ghost incomprehensible. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Ghost eternal.

And yet they are not three Eternal, but one Eternal. As there are not three Uncreated nor three Incomprehensibles, but one Uncreated and one Incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Ghost almighty. And yet they are not three Almighties, but one Almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God. And yet they are not three Gods, but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Ghost Lord. And yet not three Lords, but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by Himself to be God and Lord, So are we forbidden by the catholic religion to say, There be three Gods or three Lords. The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone, not made nor created, but begotten, The Holy Ghost is of the Father and of the Son, neither made nor created not begotten, but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons;

one Holy Ghost, not three Holy Ghosts. An in this Trinity none is before or after other;

none is greater or less than another; But the whole three Persons are coeternal together and coequal, so that in all things, as is aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshiped. He therefore, that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity, Furthermore, it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe faithfully the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Son of God, is God and Man; God of the Substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds;

and Man of the substance of His mother, born in the world; Perfect God and perfect Man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father as touching His Godhead

and inferior to the Father as touching His manhood; Who, although He be God and Man, yet He is not two, but one Christ: One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh,

but by taking the manhood into God; One altogether; not by confusion of Substance, but by unity of Person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and Man is one Christ;

Who suffered for our salvation; descended into hell; rose again the third day from the dead; He ascended into heaven; He sitteth on the right hand of the Father, God Almighty; from whence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies and shall give an account of their own works. And they that have done good shall go onto life everlasting; and they that have done evil, into everlasting fire. This is the catholic faith;

which except a man believe faithfully and firmly, he cannot be saved.

The Lutheran Confessions:

• All Lutheran doctrine (teaching) is to be taken from Holy Scripture.

• The Lutheran Confessions, or Symbols are seen as secondary norms, or as true declarations of the doctrines of Holy Scripture, which all who would call themselves Lutheran must confess and teach. For this reason the confessional Lutheran Church demands of all its public teachers and ministers a bona-fide subscription to all its Confessions as the pure and unadulterated declarations of God's Word.

ReligionFacts.com

http://www.bookofconcord.org

http://www.iclnet.org

In Jesus name I Pray

Days have past since attending the Baha'i's home. I have done my best not to make any judgments of their religion and to be open to accepting truth, no matter how different it might be from what I have previously believed. I humbled myself before God and have asked Him to reveal Himself to me so I may know His nature. I thought about my experience off Parham road. I thought about the energy that filled the room that night. And here's where this analysis has led me.

Something in the deepest parts of my gut prompted me to say the words Jesus Christ instead of praying to this generalized "God of All" the other night while praying. It's funny that I chose that phrase "Jesus Christ. Lord of lords, All glory be to You." as they said their Baha'i prayers. I usually talk very conversationally to God in my everyday. It's fairly peculiar that I chose to say "Lord of lords" that night and call Him by His official name. I don't talk that way. It was awfully formal of me to pray in that manner. I don't even call Jesus by his name unless I reference Him out of tradition or ritual when closing out my prayers by saying, "In Jesus Christ I pray." I usually just call Him God. But here I was, without preparation or any thinking involved, in an instinctual fashion calling on Jesus as my Lord of lords and asking that He may have "ALL glory". It wasn't until I came home, wrote my post and meditated on the reason for this for days that it came clear to me why I was calling on His name during my time with the Baha'i's.

I spent several days dreaming about their faith. I talked about the religion. Looked up it's history online. I read from the books given to me by Thelma. I even put the framed photograph of their Prophets son up and really gazed at it for some time. I mean, they believed this man was the Son of a living manifestation of God himself, much like Jesus Christ, so he certainly deserved my attention, right? I wanted to believe this faith was true and support it's cause because it's such a wonderful idea that all religions have it "right."

Finally, after about 4 or 5 days of meditating on the Baha'i religion, I realized I was a bit spooked. I had this uneasiness in my heart and in my soul. This uneasiness lasted for almost 72 hours. It wasn't until I stopped hiding this feeling from God that I heard his voice once again. Our conversation went much like this:

"God, you're scaring me. I've had nightmares about religion. I can't stop thinking about the Baha'i faith and Balluluah's claim that he was You, the second coming of Jesus Christ here on earth. How can you let me be scared by You? You have told me to not be afraid, so I'm ashamed that I have this fear. I don't want to hide it any longer though because hiding from You, and fearing You is only giving power to this fear. What's up here? Why would You allow this? I'm embarrassed to even admit this to you, God. But I'm spooked by the only thing that usually bring me peace! I'm sorry that I feel this way. But how can I have too much God in my life that it scares me? So I guess it's true, you can have too much of even a good thing... right God?"

After I was done rambling, God gave me a minute to still my mind and then replied: "I've been waiting for you to come to me with this. Be not afraid I am with you."

I felt peace in that brief moment but that peace quickly turned into frustration. "But You're who is scaring me! So if you're with me, why should that bring me comfort and not fear?"

To which God replied: "Would I allow you to fear Me?"

"I didn't think so, God, but I'm clearly afraid of You. I stand before you, filled with so much angst that I'm apprehensive to even tell you about it. I'm in over my head with this religious and spiritual stuff. Maybe I should distance myself from it so it doesn't make its way into every area of my life."

To which God replied: "Could My Presence make you afraid? Could My Presence haunt your dreams? Could you be filled with fear while in My company? Be not afraid, for I am with you"

God was obviously missing something. "Well, clearly I can, God. I'm telling you I'M AFRAID OF YOU RIGHT NOW!" I said in anger.

To which God lovingly replied: "Be not afraid, for I am with you. If you have this fear, what is that telling you? Do not be deceived. I am with you."

"Deceived?" I thought to myself. "Do not be deceived? What does that mean? "After days of frustration, chaos and uncertainty, I was finally, in the blink of an eye, blanketed with an unimaginable peace. A knowing. Clarity. Understanding. It dawned on me.....

Before I could even get out the words, He replied. "I have listened, and I have stayed near to you while you are on your search but have you stayed near to Me"?

Then I remembered his words from a few weeks prior. "To understand who I am, you must understand who I am not."

I began to cry. I picked up my Bible and read Matthew chapter 16 and I reunited with God once again.

So what did I learn from the Bahai's? Well, it's hard for me to even say. It's hard for me to type this out and say "this is what I believe" because it comes across as exclusive and it directly contradicts what so many others believe because it is indeed a very "narrow gate" when you take into affect all the other religions in the world. But by not saying this in my blog, or to anyone who asks where my faith resides is to hide the TRUTH as I know it. My truth. And I am, accountable to God more than I am this world. So here it goes....

I was praying to Jesus Christ during my prayer with the Baha'is, whose entire religion is based on the fact that ALL religions are "right," because I don't believe that. I just don't believe that. And not because my ego is too big to think that I can not be "wrong" or because I have some need to be "right." Not because I lack the depth or understanding of other religions. Not because I'm not loving or peaceful. I'm trying, desperately, to see how there is another path to God aside from JUST through Jesus Christ because I like the thought of everyone being "right" much much better. But the truth is, if I'm honest with myself, I believe what my father believed early in his search for Truth:

Jesus Christ, The Lamb, Lord of all lords, died on the cross for my sins. And through HIM we have hope and eternal life. In that moment when Jesus Christ took his last breath it was finished. John 19:17-30 I can't say where all those other paths lead, but I can say this: He was either a liar, or He was God himself. And Jesus was not a liar. He finished it. Therefore, from my understanding, there was no other need for God to manifest himself here on earth after Jesus Christ, because it is done!

My fear was not fear of my one true Creator, Jesus Christ, Lord of lords, my fear was because it WAS NOT Jesus Christ. That fear has now been replaced with a stronger faith than ever before. One thing I know for sure and no false prophet will ever ever tell me otherwise as long as I keep the Lord close....Jesus Christ was the Son of God, he died and was resurrected.

So for the Baha'i religion to be worthy of my devote commitment and worship, I must ask: Does the Baha'i Faith agree that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and that he was sacrificed so that we may have eternal life? If the answer is yes, then I'm all ears. And maybe I am a Baha'i. But when Jesus turns to me and asks "who do they say I am?" And I answer with "one of the great prophets" I will be filled with peace knowing that when he asks me the next question I will confidently reply: "You are the Christ, Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:13-17) and you know what? I'm finally happy to openly admit that regardless of whether or not it's P.C.

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3

Whew, I'm glad I got that off my chest. If you know the joy I have living within my heart, please thank Him for what He did for us. Not just on Easter, not just in a moment of silent gracious prayer on Sunday (or Saturday for you Adventists and Messianic Jews) but in everything you do; be like Him and let your light shine so that others may see and want to know where your joy comes from!

It's my prayer today that the love of Jesus Christ overwhelm YOU in every area of your life. I'm here to tell ya, there's no such thing as too much of a good thing.

Thank you, God. Thank you for allowing me to briefly overcome my ego today. To overcome my pride, my need to be accepted, and have the ability to share the Good News exactly as it should be shared. Thank you God for allowing Your Spirit to give me the strength I need to be a witness on Your behalf. Thank you for your living Word, where I find this strength. God, remind me continually that this world is not about me. It is about You and how I can serve You. God, I ask that you strengthen my faith so that I may never have fear. In JESUS NAME I pray. Amen.

Baha'i Henrico Community #12

I was interested in attending a worship service with the Baha'i community to see what it was all about so I went on their website to find dates/times to attend. I soon realized the site doesn't offer up that information so I called the Henrico county information line to see if I could learn more.

After leaving a message indicating my desire to understand the specifics regarding the Bah'ai faith, I was contacted by a kind woman who generously offered to have me over for dinner to discuss any questions I might have about their religion. I accepted her invitation and last week I courageously drove into an unfamiliar area of Richmond off of Parham road and met her and her husband in their home for a meal.

I was talking to my sister on my cellphone as I drove up to the couples house. While parked in the car outside, my sister had a bit of fun by saying, "hey Jess, if you change your name as part of your religious conversion, just let me know what it is so I know what to call you" I couldn't help but join in her laughter. The whole thing is a bit funny. It was only 3 short months ago that I wasn't attending church at all and here I was, on the stoop of a Baha'is house searching for God on their doorstep. Right before we got off the phone, she offered a lighthearted yet sincere warning saying: "Make sure your husband knows where you are and have your phone ready just in case they try any funny business." So I listened to her wise council and called my husband to double check he had the address. I gave him a signal and said, "if I call but don't say anything, that means to come and save me." He agreed so I made my way to the entrance of their home, with my cell phone tucked away discretely in my sweatshirt pocket. I said a quick prayer that God keep my mind and heart open to their religion, but made Him promise once again to keep close by. Of course, as always, He assured me He would.

As soon as the door opened, I was greeted by "Thelma" who had as friendly a face as she did a voice. She warmly welcomed me into her home with a simple smile. I immediately noticed her and her husband were both barefoot so I asked if she'd like for me to remove my shoes, to which she replied, "please." I wondered if it was because they didn't like dirty shoes, or whether it had to do with their religion like the Buddhist and Hindu communities.

I couldn't help but notice as I made my way into the kitchen pictures of almost every mainstream religious leader hung proudly on their wall. A picture of Jesus Christ, Balluha's son, a Muslim picture, a zen statue, and a Hindu god surrounded their family photos as if they were just another child's high school graduation picture.

We immediately sat down for dinner which was an Indian chicken cuisine. I thought it was a brave food choice to offer a stranger since Indian is an acquired taste but they were in luck, I was indeed a fan. As we ate, they asked a bit about my background and what had led me to their door. I told them about my search for Truth and attending the different houses of worship. They seemed intrigued and ask for me to share a few of my experiences with them from the past few months which I was happy to.

After some good dinner conversation, they fired up the laptop computer. Thelma cooked us up some hot chai tea while her husband "Edmond" pulled up a very detailed hour long power point presentation about their Prophet Bahá'u'lláh and the Baha'i faith. I was fascinated by all the information they had to offer. It was then that they revealed to me that people aren't really encouraged to worship with Baha'i's until they admit that Bahá'u'lláh was a manifestation of God. So this would be as close as I'd get to worship with them until I had made my mind up to become a member of their religion. As questions arose, Thelma would get up from her seat and proclaim with excitement "I have a great book that answers just that!" and she'd run into a different room of the house only to come out with yet another piece of Baha'i literature to read.

When I left that night, some 4 hours later, I had a large paper bag which held 3 Baha'i books, 1 prayer book, 1 plastic Baha'i prayer card, 2 CD's of Baha'i music and a picture of the Prophets son, framed with a passage regarding the Holy Spirit displayed underneath. Thelma whispered at one point when she realized how much she had given me, "I'm not overwhelming you am I? Am I being overbearing? If so, I'm so sorry. I just get so excited about this stuff but I just realized I'm sending you home with an entire Baha'i library!" I smiled and reassured her she wasn't. I know that excitement all too well so she certainly wasn't overwhelming me with her enthusiasm for God.

We spent some time after the presentation talking about our personal relationships with our Creator. At one point when sharing the story about the murder and persecution of their Prophet, Bahá'u'lláh, Thelma's husband Edmond broke into tears. He apologized by saying, "I'm so sorry for crying." I felt his pain. I tried to console him. "I cry often when thinking about the sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross. It's nothing to be ashamed of" I said. Thankful for my desire to ease his embarrassment he turned to me, smiling through his tears and said, "Thank you, Jessica. But I'm not a little girl. I'm a 260 lb burly man, we're not supposed to cry like you ladies." We both laughed as we agreed it was not exactly the norm.

The energy and emotion that I felt in the room while worshiping with these two was indescribable. I felt not only welcomed but encouraged to share my story. I felt that I could listen to their beliefs without judgment. I was open to what they were saying about Love and all the religions working toward the same goal: peace, love and joy. I felt understood when I told them that I felt I was being called by God to share the Good News. I wasn't scared to tell them about my relationship with God because they might think I was a "Jesus Freak" instead, here were 2 people who spent every hour of every day serving their God so nothing I could say could take them by surprise. They welcomed people interested in their faith into their homes, they tithed, they decorated their home in images of gods, they fasted, they tried to be the best they could be by not drinking, or doing drugs, and eating right and trying to be really good to people. They were both fantastic representatives for their religion. Pillars of peace, health, forgiveness, equality, sacrifice and understanding. I loved them! I couldn't help but continually and silently pray for them as they spoke to me just asking God to fill their lives with happiness. At one point in our conversation I felt so connected and convinced of their cause that my face must have been a tell tale sign of how "into them" I was. I was beaming from ear to ear as they told me about their religion. While nodding in a self assured manner, Thelma leaned in as if she was going to reveal to me a secret and whispered, "you are a Bahai my dear, I can tell. You are very godly. You are a Bahai!" I was thrilled! I was flattered! "They must think I'm very understanding," I thought full of self pride. "THEY LIKE ME! THEY THINK I'M PEACEFUL! THEY THINK IM ACCEPTING AND LOVING!" I'M SO GOOD AND THEY CAN SEE IT!" I silently screamed. When I realized how carried away I was getting in my head, I wondered if they too could see my self-righteousness so I immediately tried to hide it by changing the subject.

We ended the evening with about 45 minutes of meditation and prayer. I felt physically wonderful. I felt very similar to how I felt the first time I was in the Mormon church. I was almost buzzing with Spirit in a manic fashion. I was convinced while in that room that the Baha'i faith had it "right" and that we're All praying to the same God and that I was a Baha'i because I believe in love and unity and equality. Then, they started to pray to Baha'ullah aloud.

I sat with the two of them on either side of me in their living room, eyes closed and hands clasped as they read Baha'i prayers and I silently chanted "Jesus Christ, Lord of Lords. All glory be to You." There was something about their prayers that just wasn't resonating with me. I loved their ideas about unification and world peace but when they prayed, I just didn't feel like.... I just didn't feel like.... like they were praying to...well, my God.

We wrapped up the night at around 11pm. I hugged both Thelma and Edmond like we were old friends and began walking to my car, bag of Bah'ai trinkets in hand. As I looked at my phone I realized it was on silent and I had been at this house for almost 4 hours and had 10 missed calls, all from my husband. I quickly called him, knowing I must have scared him and apologized for not keeping in touch. To which he replied, "so are you a Baha'i? You better be because you were there forever and scared the crap out of me!" I told him I very well might be and that I had a wonderful experience. When I got home, I thought long and hard about that small home off of Parham road; the pictures on the wall, Thelma and Edmond, the power point, the music, the food, the entire experience just continuously played in my head. But one thing kept bubbling up as an uncertainty, something I wasn't sure how I felt about. The prayers that concluded the evening left me feeling a bit uneasy. What I couldn't help but wonder was whether I did indeed believe we were all praying to the same God like Thelma and Edmond had claimed. I decided to give myself a few days to explore their religion and meditate on their beliefs before deciding where I fit into all this.

Today is Earth Day: Not really but it should be

I saw this and thought it accurately portrayed how I was feeling today so I thought I'd share.

Your Spirit lives in the whistling winds, oh how I love thee
Every budding flower, You are it's very life

Joy. Joy. Joy.
Draw near to me, my one true Love

Oh how may I serve thee? With what fruit shall I bear?
You answer "with Love" in the warm Spring air

The sweet fragrance of soil, the deep blue in Your sky
It's simple beauty captivating All.

Joy. Joy. Joy.
The sweet scent of pine, it is none but the face of thee
The salt in the seas, it is none but the face of thee
The warmth of the sun, it is none but the face of thee
The richness of the earth, its is none but the face of thee

Water I drink, but I'm thirsty for more
Patience you have requested of me
Endurance to the very end

Your countenance; peace
Your eyes; kindness
Your Spirit; goodness
Your message; hope
Gratitude for this is being asked of me

Gently, I ask thee to draw me near
Humbly before thee, I yearn to serve
Your will be done.
Joy. Joy. Joy.

The Bahá'í Faith and It's International Community

The Bahá'í Faith is the youngest of the world's independent religions. Its founder,Bahá'u'lláh (1817-1892), is claimed to be the most recent Messenger of God. According to it's religion, other Messangers of The One True God included Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad. To actively be a Baha'i, one must admit that Bahaullah was a Messenger from our loving Creator, however, all the other religion's prophets are also Manifestations of that exact same God and no one Messenger is higher or more important than the other.

Bahá'u'lláh's taught that humanity is one single race and we are living in one single society called Earth. He told his followers that the world has arrived at a time in it's history where we as people should unite in one global society and accept the fact that oneness is our reality. He says that we as men and women of God are to fulfill our mission of assisting in the process of unification of the entire human race any way we can.

The Bahá'í Faith is essential to the unification process as its main purpose is to help make this world wide peace possible. The Bahá'ís, pride themselves on their cultural, racial, and sexual diversity because that diversity alone serves as a symbolic representation of the possibility of a world where we can whole-heartedly love our neighbors without any prejudice and apply the Golden Rule.

Bahá'u'lláh's message to the world was that under this one God, we have now finally come to a place in history where we are ready to embrace this unification because of our spiritual awakening and moral maturity. This spiritual and moral maturity is continually ripening. It is this ripening that makes possible the unification of the human family and the building of a peaceful, global society. Among the principles which the Bahá'í Faith promotes as vital to the achievement of this goal are

• the abandonment of all forms of prejudice
• assurance to women of full equality of opportunity with men
• recognition of the unity and relativity of religious truth
• the elimination of extremes of poverty and wealth
• the realization of universal education
• the responsibility of each person to independently search for truth
• the establishment of a global commonwealth of nations
• recognition that true religion is in harmony with reason and the pursuit of scientific knowledge

While Bahá'u'lláh affirms that old laws and concepts of religious tradition were essential for the times, he also insists that new laws and concepts are enunciated by Him (the present day Manifestion of God) so that human consciousness can be freed from patterns of response set by tradition, and because of this, a new world and a new life can be created.

Bahá'u'lláh's claims effect people both spiritually as well as socially. His teachings redefine the very concept of religion and its separateness nature. His vision of the oneness of humankind involves not just solidarity, the safeguarding of human rights, or the establishment of an enduring peace, but rather "an organic change in the structure of present-day society, a change such as the world has not yet experienced."

As seen many times in Bahá'u'lláh's writings, the primary purpose of God has been to reveal His will through His wordly Manifestations so we may be more like Him.

...is not the object of every Revelation to effect a transformation in the whole character of mankind, a transformation that shall manifest itself both outwardly and inwardly, that shall affect both its inner life and external conditions? For if the character of mankind be not changed, the futility of God's universal Manifestations would be apparent.

Much like Abraham, Buddha, Christ, Muhammad and the other Divine Messengers before Him, Bahá'u'lláh, urges us to exemplify the spirit to God within ourselves by having an inner desire to be of sincere service to others. He states: "the purpose for which mortal men have...stepped into the realm of being, is that they may work for the betterment of the world and live together in concord and harmony." "Let each morn," He urges, "be better than its eve and each morrow richer than its yesterday. Man's merit lieth in service and virtue and not in the pageantry of wealth and riches ... Guard against idleness and sloth, and cling unto that which profiteth mankind, whether young or old, whether high or low." When instructing us how to act, Bahá'u'lláh commands ""Do not busy yourselves in your own concerns; let your thoughts be fixed upon that which will rehabilitate the fortunes of mankind and sanctify the hearts and souls of men."

The Bahai faith believes that through the acceptance of the creative power of the historical Prophets and other Manifestations of God during history, an individual's can realize it's true potentiality. Without this Divine power, we remain a prisoner of cultural limitations based on our learned prejudices. When Bahaullah was giving this wisdom to His followers about why God needed to send Divine Manifestations. he used the following analogy which Bahai's still use when educating people about His holy message today. He explains, God is as the Sun, and the Manifestations are as Mirrors that reflect that Divine light -- but they are in no way to be considered as identical to that Sun. One can not look directly at the Sun because it is so great, the same way one can not know God because It is so righteous we can not ever know the unknowable beauty. But one can look at a mirror and see a glimpse of the Sun and it's glory through it.

Bahai's attest that Bahá'u'lláh had to come to the Earth because He was empowered by God to generate spiritual forces that will bring into being a peaceful and integrated global society which is the ultimate goal of God's plan for humanity. By bringing together the world's great religious systems and revealing how each is a Divine expression of the One, God has progressively revealed His divine plan.

Sources:

www.bahai.org
The Hidden Words, authored by Bahá'u'lláh himself.
God, His Manifestations, and Man - authored by Bahá'u'lláh himself.

Baha'i Faith Richmond, VA

I am so excited to share what I learned last night about the Baha'i Faith but I'm trying to meditate on it first before putting it all out there. It was so fascinating and it has really challenged me to think about my faith and what I believe about the nature of God. I won't go into this now, but basically, the Baha'is believe that EVERYONE is right. That Muhammad, Buddha, Jesus, and Krishna all had it right and are all worshiping the same one God.

I'd be lying if I said that while the foundation of this faith is so appealing it does raise some very interesting questions within myself as it makes some serious claims about Jesus Christ. My "religion" not spirituality makes me instantly doubt the validity of the religion itself (for me, not for the Baha'is who accept it) because it claims that Jesus Christ has already made His return to Earth. With that being said, my spiritual self that believes we are all children of God and our 2 greatest commandments of Jesus himself are to love one another and to love God with all our heart. These 2 commandments bring me to a place of understanding. Those 2 commandments alone make me wonder if these Bahai's are really on to something. It leads me to ask if all other religions are also worshiping the same God of Abraham and I wonder if we can all be "right" in the eyes of God. Of course I want to believe that. It's my sincere hope and desire for this to be true. But then again returns my father's voice, "Truth is not multi-faceted. He was either a liar, or the Son of God and there is one way, one gate, one lamb and in Him and only Him is Salvation." Why when remembering my father and his faith do I only think about his Christian beliefs and not the years after that he explored everything from Confucianism to Taoism? Is that the voice of fear, or the voice of the Holy Spirit? Why do those words ring clear even though he verbally denounced them toward the end of his life?

I don't want to contemplate this all in this post, but instead, meditate on It first to see what bubbles up. But before diving into Baha'i research, I will share this quote with you so in these words you can get a small glimpse of the belief system that these people hold.

A quote from Abdul-Baha' a great teacher of the Baha'i faith:

“Cleanse ye your eyes, so that ye behold no man as different from yourselves. See ye no strangers; rather see all men as friends”

--‘Abdul-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdul-Bahá, p. 24

Sounds a lot like the Golden Rule, right? Now who can argue with that????

West End Assembly of God #11

Anyone who has attended the highly impressive Glorious Christmas Nights show at WEAG church in December, knows full well this community is gifted in the musical arts. Having been to the show for my first time this year, and been in absolute awe, I had high hopes for the music portion of their service this Sunday.

As I suspected, the choir was nothing short of magnificent. While they didn't have a live camel parading around (yes, they actually have a live camel come walk around the theater during their Christmas show) I was still equally impressed with the enthusiasm and passion that the WEAG's (as the pastor so loving refers to his congregation) bring to the table.

When I pulled into the parking lot, I realized just how massive this church truly is. With an estimated 200 cars in the parking lot, and nearly 400 in attending church service on a rainy Sunday WEAG clearly has a loyal following. I sat high up in their stadium seating area and watched the service from one of their 4 high tech TV screens that displayed the Pastor up-close so everyone could see him well.

Pastor John Hershman , had the attention and respect from his congregation as well as a very satirical sense of humor. He poked fun at one point when explaining how he wasn't really "with it" this Sunday by saying "I'm kinda groggy this morning because of the weather, but luckily, I knew I only needed a half a brain today because of who I was preaching to" Everyone loving smiled as he continued..."Actually, to be clear, that comment was only directed at current church members, anyone new to the church, you're clearly very smart"

In the brief time I was there, He seemed to be a very sincere and humorous speaker and his presence alone made everyone feel comfortable. It was easy to feel at home with him leading the service.

The sermon was about the days before Jesus was being called to die on the cross and His discussion with his disciples before he left them with the Counselor. When speaking of Jesus's commitment to fulfill his Father's mission, the Pastor was briefly overcome with emotion and moved to tears. After he regained composure, he ended the service in thoughtful prayer.

Because of my experience with the Pentecostal church during High School, I was kinda hoping to see some people talking in tongues, but no such luck. I guess I have to go to another Pentecostal church to get a glimpse of that! Unfortunately, it just wasn't all that eventful in that regard but maybe I just showed up at the wrong time of day. The WEAG's have plenty of activities each day to ensure that each person has ample time to stay active within the church and claim a healthy Christian lifestyle. Everything from Discipleship classes, women's and family ministry, 24 counseling hotline to fine arts, finance and life groups ministries.

In conclusion, I'd certainly recommend this church to anyone looking for a large congregation with a ton of daily Christian activities. If you are moved by good music and have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and recognize that every Christian has gifts of the Spirit, one could easily call themselves a WEAG.

To learn more about the phenomenal things going on at the West End Assemblies of God church, visit their very modern and cool website at: http://www.weag.org

Assemblies of God Community

Assemblies of God was established in 1914 during a Pentecostal revival and is one of the largest Pentecostal fellowships in the world. In the latter half of the 19^th century in the United States, many Protestants from various backgrounds while earnestly searching for God began to experience personal spiritual gifts that were represented in the New Testament of the Bible. Hungry for authentic Christianity, they looked to previous spiritual outpourings, such as the First Great Awakening (1730s-40s) and Second Great Awakening (1800s-30s), for inspiration and instruction as to how to share these gifts with the world. Under the leadership of Eudorus N. Bell who had previously been a Southern Baptist pastor, they identified themselves in the tradition of reformers and revivalists such as Martin Luther, John Wesley, and Dwight L. Moody. (www.ag.org)

One of the defining events of the Pentecostal movement which created world-wide visibility for the denomination is referred to as the Azusa Street revival. In the summer of 1906, a newly-formed congregation was meeting at the small Apostolic Faith Mission at 312 Azusa Street in Los Angeles, California. Many critics had attacked the church because its preacher, William J. Seymour, was often found preaching racial reconciliation and the restoration of biblical spiritual gifts.

As student of Charles Parham, who provided the doctrinal framework for the young Pentecostal movement, Seymour identified speaking in tongues as the “Bible evidence” of Spirit baptism. It became a defining mark of the emerging Pentecostal movement. The first widespread speaking in tongues happened when one of Parham's students, Agnes Ozman who was actually a Methodist, spoke in a unique language during prayer and then other people followed suit. The phenomenon was contained in south central U.S. However, because of the negative attention given to the Azusa church, it catapulted Pentecostalism before a worldwide audience. Parham and Seymour eventually parted ways, because Parham believed many of the manifestations shown at Azusa Street were of the flesh. (A complete Guide to Christian Denominations; Rhodes)

As more people sought to be active in the Pentecostal movement, the founding members met in Arkansas to promote unity and doctrinal stability, establish legal standing, coordinate the mission enterprise, and establish a ministerial training school. Today, the Assemblies of God church defines it's primary reason for being as a four-fold commitment to do the following:

1. Evangelize the lost.
2. Worship God.
3. Disciple believers.
4. Demonstrate God's love through Compassion.

The defining difference in doctrine between Assemblies of God and many other Pentecostals is their belief that Baptism of the Holy Spirit is available for anyone, regardless of attaining sanctification.

Their nonnegotiable tenets of faith as derived from their official Statement of Fundamental Truths are:

1. WE BELIEVE...The Scriptures are Inspired by God and declare His design and plan for mankind.
2. WE BELIEVE...There is only One True God–revealed in three persons...Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (commonly known as the Trinity).
3. WE BELIEVE...In the Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ. As God's son Jesus was both human and divine.
4. WE BELIEVE...though originally good, Man Willingly Fell to Sin–ushering evil and death, both physical and spiritual, into the world.
5. WE BELIEVE...Every Person Can Have Restored Fellowship with God Through 'Salvation' (trusting Christ, through faith and repentance, to be our personal Savior). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
6. WE BELIEVE...and practice two ordinances—(1) Water Baptism by Immersion after repenting of one's sins and receiving Christ's gift of salvation, and (2) Holy Communion (the Lord's Supper) as a symbolic remembrance of Christ's suffering and death for our salvation.
7. WE BELIEVE...the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is a Special Experience Following Salvation that empowers believers for witnessing and effective service, just as it did in New Testament times. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
8. WE BELIEVE... The Initial Physical Evidence of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit is ‘Speaking in Tongues,’ as experienced on the Day of Pentecost and referenced throughout Acts and the Epistles.
9. WE BELIEVE...Sanctification Initially Occurs at Salvation and is not only a declaration that a believer is holy, but also a progressive lifelong process of separating from evil as believers continually draw closer to God and become more Christlike.
10. WE BELIEVE...The Church has a Mission to seek and save all who are lost in sin. We believe 'the Church' is the Body of Christ and consists of the people who, throughout time, have accepted God's offer of redemption (regardless of religious denomination) through the sacrificial death of His son Jesus Christ.
11. WE BELIEVE...A Divinely Called and Scripturally Ordained Leadership Ministry Serves the Church. The Bible teaches that each of us under leadership must commit ourselves to reach others for Christ, to worship Him with other believers, to build up or edify the body of believers–the Church and to Meet human need with ministries of love and compassion.
12. WE BELIEVE...Divine Healing of the Sick is a Privilege for Christians Today and is provided for in Christ's atonement (His sacrificial death on the cross for our sins). [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
13. WE BELIEVE...in The Blessed Hope—When Jesus Raptures His Church Prior to His Return to Earth (the second coming). At this future moment in time all believers who have died will rise from their graves and will meet the Lord in the air, and Christians who are alive will be caught up with them, to be with the Lord forever. [1 of 4 cardinal doctrines of the AG]
14. WE BELIEVE...in The Millennial Reign of Christ when Jesus returns with His saints at His second coming and begins His benevolent rule over earth for 1,000 years. This millennial reign will bring the salvation of national Israel and the establishment of universal peace.
15. WE BELIEVE...A Final Judgment Will Take Place for those who have rejected Christ. They will be judged for their sin and consigned to eternal punishment in a punishing lake of fire.
16. WE BELIEVE...and look forward to the perfect New Heavens and a New Earth that Christ is preparing for all people, of all time, who have accepted Him. We will live and dwell with Him there forever following His millennial reign on Earth. 'And so shall we forever be with the Lord!'

In 2007, the Assemblies of God claimed a constituency in the United States of 2,836,174 adherents; 12,311 churches; and 33,622 ministers. The General Council supported 2,691 foreign missionaries and associates working with the broader World Assemblies of God Fellowship, whose adherents numbered more than 57 million. (www.ag.com)

#10 Tikvat Israel

This Sabbath, at 10am, I attended Tikvat Israel, a gorgeous Messianic Jewish synagogue located on the corner of Boulevard and Grove in the fan area of Richmond. Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by a Jewish man with a "Shabbat Shalom" when he quickly recognized me as a first time visitor. The kind man engaged me in a conversation about the history and basic beliefs of the community. What I suspected was going to be a brief greeting turned into about a 15 minute pitch about the denomination. As he spoke, I felt myself falling into a passive listening mode as I honed in on the Hebrew songs that played behind the church doors beside us. The music was pulsating through my body. At some point I actually found myself tapping my foot to the beat while singing along in my mind totally oblivious to what this man was saying. He was rather nice but I must admit, I was eager to wrap up our convo and enter the area where the service was being held and see for myself what this synagogue was all about. I was excited to sit down and enjoy a good sermon. Much to my surprise, there would be no sermon, or sitting for that matter, at least not until over an hour later.

Interestingly enough, when I entered, I immediately saw the pastor, Robert Banks, from the Seventh Day Adventist church where I had attended on Patterson Avenue just 2 weeks before. I said hello and reminded him of who I was in case he'd forgotten. I was surprised to see him there... I might even go as far as to use the word shocked. One thing about the Adventists I've met, they are die hard Adventists. To see one at a synagogue, let alone the church's Pastor was certainly not what I'd expect. I wondered, did the Adventists kick him out or something? Is he here as a spy? There must be some underlying thing going on here! Pastor Banks then asked if we could sit together to which I of course agreed. There was a small part of me that felt like I couldn't be an authentic Messianic Jew for the day with him watching my every move. But I quickly stopped my silliness and decided to just be myself and let the Spirit move me. Then Pastor Banks made what I'd consider a very "Jess" comment. He said, "You know, I almost didn't come here today." I told him that I almost didn't either due to the nasty cold I had this week. He then said, "What a strange coincidence. It's almost like we're here on purpose." I'm not sure what that purpose was yet, but I'd have to agree.

When we walked into the pews, it was only then that I realized everyone was still standing. The Hebrew music was still playing and people were doing traditional Jewish dancing in the front of the room. About 10 members of the synagogue who were a cultural mix of black, white, old, young, jewish, and asian held hands in unity as they energetically sang, danced and praised Yeshua. Towards the right of the room, a huge theater size TV screen displayed Hebrew lyrics while a live band played passionately below. The majority of the equally diverse congregation sang along. The music and the dancing were beyond words. It was joyful and inspiring. Authentic and soulful. And this dance party lasted almost a full hour!

At first, I wasn't so fast to participate. I wondered, "This is Hebrew. How can I sing something I don't know the meaning of?" I didn't want to be doing these Hebrew chants if they might be praising a God I didn't know, right? But I asked God for guidance and within moments, it was like I'd known the songs for years. When it was finally translated into English, I felt momentary guilt for even being a bit concerned that it might not be in line with my religion, but I quickly forgave myself. Thank God for that whole forgiveness thing, without it, I'd be screwed. It was all in glorious praise to God, my God, their God....ALL our God. It wasn't the normal church music (while wonderful) which is sweet, reverent, slow, and "holy sounding", instead, it was funky. It was fun! Passionate and even the content was worthy of dancing for. Songs like Zealous over Zion which is an expression of God's true love for the city and the people who occupied it. The songs were ones of celebration. In one instance they took out two "Torahs" which were clothed in a rich blue color and danced them around the room while everyone touched them and then kissed their hands. Like this representation of a Torah was so powerful people that would get blessed just by merely coming in contact with it. This was a charasimatic bunch to say the least. And I loved every minute of it!

While still standing in this synagogue, I found myself desiring His return. Like eager for the coming of Yeshua to Earth. That's not something I find myself wishing for, the complex "End Times." I rather enjoy this life just as it is. But for the first time ever, I was hungry for His return. And then it became clear to me... on Saturday morning, I briefly got a glimpse of what It might be like. I was "home." Without being overly dramatic, I felt like this congregation might mirror a heavenly family. I was happy. I felt like I could take my shoes off and open up their fridge without asking. Like if I went downstairs there'd be some Grandma cooking us all up something delightful! I come from an Italian family who never let a day go by where they didn't say I love you and embrace one another with a kiss. A couple years ago, I lost my dad and Nana within a few short months of eachother. It was the first time since their passing that I felt like I was with my large Italian family again. I can't put my finger on what it was that this congregation offered that gave me this comforting and peaceful feeling, but I want to replicate it in my everyday life.

Once the celebration ended, the Rabbi talked to the congregation about how to best read God's Word. He suggested that we ask specific questions when analyzing scripture to get the most out of it. Who was the author? What was the context? Who was the author speaking to? After some serious and honest self-reflection, I had a bit of an epiphany.... I act like I know a lot about the Bible, but in all reality, I know so very little. What a great revelation. Why? Because now I want to read this book!

And so, even better than the feeling of family that I got from this Jewish congregation, or the "purposefulness" of seeing Pastor Banks, or even the fabulous Hebrew music, was my revelation about my lack of scriptual knowledge. This self-awareness has brought me to my next new exciting challenge: To read the Bible cover to cover in one year. I'm 2 months into this project, if I start now, I will be right around the bend toward the end. I'm SO excited!!!

To learn more about this AWESOME, hospitable group of Messianics, visit their website at http://www.tikvatisrael.com/

Messianic Jew. Oxymoron?

Messianic Judaism is a religious movement which brings together two religions and combines different elements of each to create one single faith. Messianic Jews, unlike traditional Jews, believe Yeshua (Jesus) is the promised Messiah of Israel and Savior for the world.

The first modern Messianic Jewish synagogue was founded in just 1967, however, Messianic Judaism is actually 2,000 years old, dating to the time of Yeshua Himself. It was during that time that almost everyone who believed in the Messiah was culturally and religiously Jewish since Jesus was/is himself Jewish. He was raised in a Jewish home and preached to Jewish people in the Land of Israel. His disciples and apostles were Jewish as well as most of the writers of the New Testament (Covenant) with the exception of possibly Luke. So how did it become un-Jewish to follow Christ?

When early Messianic Jews came to share the Good News of the Jewish Messiah to the Gentiles, fortunately, a great number of people became believers. At the end of the first century AD, there were many more Gentiles than Jews occupying the earth because the news of Yeshua spread fast. Unfortunately, because of the lack of understanding of the Jewish heritage including traditions, culture, and an understanding of G-d's covenant with the Jewish people by new Christian Gentile believers, Messianic Judaism was separated from it's Jewish roots and a "de-Judaizing" process began.

As the number of Gentile believers increased, they began to dominate the faith until their expression of Christianity emerged as the dominant expression of the faith. Then, in what can only be regarded as one of the greatest ironies in history, Christianity made it impossible for a Jewish person to believe in the King of the Jews! Because of this persecution, Messianic Judaism died out until the public reestablishment of the church in late 60's. (Messianic Judaism; Cohn-Sherbok 2000; pg 5)

Messianics hold the Bible in the same regard as Christians, however, they believe that the Book of Law, or Torah is still meant to be followed faithfully. Messianics believe since the Covenant was made with Jews many years ago, it should not be abolished but instead enforced both morally and ritually by those who profess faith in G-d. Many Christians beliefs differ as they believe because of scripture that a new Torah is written on our hearts when we accept Jesus and we are no longer subject to the laws of the Pentateuch. Jews, Messianic or otherwise, believe that the Torah is held as the foundation for "teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of G-d may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." 2Timothy 3:16-17. In regards to salvation: Faith and works is one of the major defining differences between Jews, Messianic Jews, and Christianity.

The majority of Christians believe we are saved solely by the grace of G-d because of the death of Jesus on the cross. And when Christ died, so did the law.

Messianic Jews believe that the Laws of the Torah need to be strictly followed, unlike the Protestant tradition. However, they believe that righteous works happen naturally and are complementary of a genuine faith in Yeshua. Messianics believe faith and works are mutually exclusive and that when we believe in Jesus, we then follow the Law.

Jews believe that strict adherence to the Law is essential part of faith.

Presently, according the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (http://www.umjc.org/)there may be as many as 100,000 Messianic Jews in the US alone, with many thousands more joining congregations in Canada, England, Israel, and a number of republics of the former Soviet Union. In a very short time Messianic Judaism has become a worldwide movement with over 150 Messianic Synagogues and is experiencing rapid growth throughout western civilization.

#9 Tantric god and goddesses gathering

The Tantric god and goddess gathering held at 4025 Studio in the Northside of Richmond was certainly an event I won't soon forget. I arrived right on time at 7pm just as the other 13 Tantriks were finding their way into the circle. We surrounded an alter consisting of an Indian tribal blanket, a Catholic candle of Jesus, burning incense, and a grouping of several different "healing" stones. I picked up my meditation pillow and found a space right next to another Tantrik who courteously moved over to welcome me in.

Dakini Martha, a self proclaimed healer, lightworker and Tantric goddess began the service by asking if anyone would volunteer to purify the space by wafting burning sage. A young gentleman who was apparently familiar with this ritual agreed to be of service to the group and lit the sage on fire as he walked around the circle and waved the plants smoke above each of our heads. I actually welcomed the plants scent. Sage comes from the Latin word "to heal" and Martha later explained to us that sage is burned during gatherings in an attempt to rid the room of all negative energy and heal the space.

After fiddling around with her ipod, Dakini Martha gave a brief explanation of the history of Tantra and its roots in India. She discussed her own personal history with the practice and how she was introduced to it while attending a Methodist church almost 10 years. Martha said she always struggled with the traditional church's representation of God because God seemed so far outside oneself. She appreciated the Holy Spirit as opposed to a "God-like" entity that she couldn't experience with her senses. Martha went on to explain to us her struggles with educating people in the Richmond area due to what she called "the perceived taboo nature of Tantra". She said, "traditional Richmond didn't seem ready to embrace the wonderful spiritual discipline of Tantra". She had almost succumb to the fact that our area was not the place for her type of healing practice until she had met a spiritual guide that encouraged her to pursue her love of tantra locally. It was at this time that she gave us a forewarning about what we were to expect in the next hour and a half. Honestly, after her explanation of a God outside herself and the Holy Spirit, I knew that Tantra was going to be a topic that intrigued me. I didn't need to be forewarned! I thought to myself, "yeah, I get how energy and Spirit are so important to some one's spiritual journey. Let's meditate, let's do some yoga! I'm ready for whatever!"

Then, Dakini Martha presented an entirely new concept to me that I hadn't stumbled across in my research. She said, "Just so every one's clear. There are 2 paths of Tantra. There's the Right-hand path that involves gurus, mind-body-spirit connection and denying the flesh, then there's Left-handed Tantra that's all about indulgence and sex. I teach sacred sex. We're left-handers. Just so we're clear if anyone wants to leave." The girl next to me let out a bellowing laugh as she presumptuously spoke for the entire group "Yes! Sex! That's why we're all here." Without a moments notice, my flight response kicked into over-drive. In a complete panic I thought, "I could go to the bathroom and then just not come back. I could be brave and get up and say, "no! I'm a right-hander! Now show me the door!" Instead, I decided to silently pray, "God, I pray I learn something about you today in this room. Even if it's to exercise my understanding. Keep me close though, okay?"

We then started our journey with a stretching exercise. With eyes closed, and tantric music playing quietly in the background, we were instructed to just stretch our bodies however we wanted to. "Don't hold back!" Martha insisted. "Just let your body move to it's beat." I tried to not judge my own movements or worry about who might see me stretching in odd ways and instead just heed her advice. I bent over backwards, raised my arms behind me, crawled in front of me, and reached toward the sky. I just let my body move to it's beat like she suggested. It felt glorious to stretch! I felt like a creative child. I silently did my yoga with my eyes shut and it was an extraordinary meditative experience.

Once we were done, she went into a 15 meditation much like the Zen one I was introduced to a few weeks back. This time, I really got into the zone. Martha led us in a visualization exercise. She said, "breath in slooooowly deeeep through your nose. Hold that breath for a few moments... and with no rush...with no goal.... slooooooowly out through your nose. Feel the energy of the earth coming up from your root chakra. You feel connected to the earth. Ahhhhh....and out throw your nose and release that energy. You are completely safe. Completely secure." Oh man, and was I ever. I felt connected. I felt completely tranquil and at peace. I never wanted it to end. "This is what meditation is!" I thought. I was relieved to know that left-hand Tantra was apparently just about relaxing and feeling comfortable in your own skin and that's how it related to sex. Not that we were going to be recreating that image of the old hippie orgies I'd associated with Tantra in the first place. We then slowly opened our eyes and "re-entered" the physical space. It was time for our next activity.

"Okay, guys. It's time to have some fun. Let's break into pairs." Most people were already there with a partner. I was sitting next to this sweet girl who came alone and since she welcomed me in the circle and we made chit-chat early on as we were sanctifying the space with sage, it only made sense that she'd be who I partnered up with. I turned to her, ready to engage, until I realized.....

Martha looked in my direction and said, "okay, Jess. You're here alone. You go ahead and get with Henry." I looked across the circle where she was directing her attention and there he was. Henry was probably about 60 years old, full gray beard, he was wearing faded jeans, a white undershirt and had exposed bare feet. "Great!" I said with a smile. I walked over to Henry who coincidentally looked a lot like an old hippie. "Hi Henry! Glad to meet you." I waited nervously but optimistic that this would just be another meditation exercise. "I am an extrovert," I thought. "I can meditate with someone I don't know. No problem. Don't judge, Jessica. Just allow. Don't judge this! This person is a part of God. Love!!" I then reminded God of his promise to stay close.

Martha began to lead the exercise by directing our attention to the couple next to her, "I'll have Mr. and Mrs. Smith demonstrate what I want you all to do. Mr. Smith, I want you to sit on the floor, facing your wife with your legs extended out and back completely straight. Mrs. Smith, now you straddle Mr. Smith and..."

I felt myself starting to perspire. Could she actually expect that I was going to mount this stranger? I mean, seriously!!!???? There's no way that's what she expects me to do this with someone I've never met. I revisited my thought about making a mad dash for the door under the guise of going to the ladies room but I resisted. She went on......"okay, mrs. smith, now that you're on top of him, wrap your legs firmly around his back. Gently place your hands on the back of his neck with your genitals over top of his."

"RUN RUN RUN!" I silently screamed.

"Okay, Mr. Smith place your hands at the base of your wife's back and put your forehead against hers and gaze into one another's eyes"

"That's it! I can't do this!!!!" I cried to myself. Then, as everyone mounted their partners, Martha turned to me and Henry.

"This is a Tantra class" she said with a warm smile. "I know you two just met, but go ahead and embrace each other for the sake of learning. I'd like to think of it like we're children without a care in the world. You know what? Real enlightenment is our ability to love everyone like you would your husband or wife... even strangers! So if you two were to attain ultimate enlightenment, you wouldn't care that you were strangers, only that you had this immense love and desire to please and love one another unconditionally" She then turned to the other students as though it was now understood that Henry and I should assume position.

I turned to Henry who looked more than willing. "Henry" I said meekly. "Um, I hope that you understand".....I paused. "It's not that you're not *gulp* mountable but...." I had no idea how to end the sentence. Like always, I was so concerned that Henry might have his feelings hurt or think he wasn't lovable that I proceeded cautiously. Especially since ole' Dakini Martha made it rather clear that if I really loved Henry, I'd publicly mount him. "Henry, truth is, I would do this, but....well....I would do this... but....my husband would have my head." I blamed it on the husband. That was sure to get me out of it! A bit disappointed looking, Henry kindly replied "No problem."

Everyone then began gyrating. Henry and I sat there, bare foot to bare foot gazing into one another's eyes like lovers but not touching one bit. I resisted the massive urge to look away. We were then asked to make a vibrational sound that signified the union and alignment of each others energy. We did a pretty good job at the mantra part, I must admit. I lowered my pitch to meet his, he increased his pitch to meet mine. Trying to make conversation and ease the tension a bit, I whispered, "Henry. This is intense" He replied in a nervous tone, "What? You think I seem tense?" I repeated myself for clarification. He nodded and smiled.

After 10 minutes of gazing into each others eyes and chanting "OMMMMMMMM" I excused myself, walked up to the alter and placed my $20 in the tray. I thanked Henry and Dakini Martha for the lesson. I smiled at everyone while I waved goodbye and made my way to the front door. I turned around one last time to make sure I was no longer in anyone's sight. Then, I ran full speed to my car like someone was chasing me. I jumped in, and immediately locked the doors. I sat in disbelief for a brief moment. While quickly running the sequence of events through my mind, I began to laugh uncontrollably. Martha was right. There was certainly quite a bit of energy inside my body. And I could no longer contain it.

After I regained my composure, I called my husband and told him my story. He said, "okay, next Sunday back to the regular stuff." I smiled. "Okay, back to the regular stuff." I thanked God for the experience and for staying so close.